Petition Urges Government to Purchase Les Mielles Site
A petition has been launched calling on the Government of Jersey to consider acquiring the Les Mielles Golf & Country Club site, which is currently on the market with a guide price of £9.95 million.
Jersey's Chief Minister, Lyndon Farnham, has expressed support for the idea of the golf course site in St Peter coming into public ownership.
Petition Advocates Returning Land to Nature
The petition, initiated by Matt Topman, has garnered over 600 signatures. It urges the government to explore funding options to purchase the site, restore most of the land to its natural state with an educational and activities component, and convert the clubhouse into a national centre before the land is lost to private development.
Topman referenced previous successful government interventions at Plémont and Grève de Lecq as precedents for such an initiative.
"It's such a large parcel of land in our National Park and it's come up for sale at this time so there's a little bit of urgency to get the ball rolling,"
he said.
Matt Topman highlighted the site's potential, stating it had "a lot going for it" and that it would be "money well spent" to bring it into public ownership.
Topman expressed no firm opinion on the exact future use of the area but emphasized that nature should be a central element.
"Some sort of re-wilding because of its setting would be lovely...whether it's integrated with a golf course or change of use, it's an open canvass and it's a once in a generation opportunity."
He added that he would also welcome a private investor taking on the site but viewed the petition as an effective way to initiate public discussion.
Chief Minister Open to Public Ownership and Collaboration
Lyndon Farnham revealed he had been approached by affluent island residents interested in supporting a purchase effort.
In an interview with BBC Jersey, Farnham was asked about the government's willingness to buy the site.
"I fancy that coming into public ownership somehow,"
he responded.
Farnham indicated his intention to consult with the National Trust regarding the site.
"There's a great opportunity, if you look at the Simon Sand area along to Les Mielles, to create an area of outstanding natural beauty. That's something we can certainly take a look at,"
he said.
He has previously facilitated the purchase of Cafe Romany at Greve de Lecq following similar appeals to protect the surrounding environment.
Regarding the £9.95 million guide price, Farnham noted that various options could be explored for any acquisition.
"There's public money if we decide to use it, there are other options as well with the National Trust and I've had a number of people in our 21E community, the wealthier residents, who are very keen to help contribute to that."
The National Trust of Jersey declined to comment at this stage.
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- Golf course and club put up for sale for £9.95m
- National Trust takes on 'important island landmark'
